I guess they think they had a winning formula with "Cult of Death" or something. More death metal and less thrash metal just does not suit Deathchain, and "Death Eternal" is just more proof of that. The opener is dull and lifeless, and the whole thing just drones on after that. The production is still hollow, as if they were trying to sound like a 90's Flordia death metal act. If this is the best you've got now Deathchain, then it's time to throw in the towel. No use in shaming yourselves anymore.

Average. I can't think of a better word to describe "The Formation of Damnation" than that. With the return of the classic line-up and the inclusion of Paul Bostaph on drums, one would expect the gates of metal heaven to open and bestow upon the world something great. Instead, we get two-minute long breakdowns on the title track, and lackluster riffs scattered throughout, sans "Henchman", "More Than Meets the Eye", and "F.E.A.R.". It's not so much that this album is terrible, it's really not...it's just painfully average.

With the thrash revival scene picking up a lot of steam in the past few years, it's a bit frustrating to see a band like Skeletonwitch being hailed as one of the frontrunners. "Beyond the Permafrost" is just a mish-mash of various metal genres (NWOBHM, thrash, and black metal being the most obvious) that is so pathetic it causes me to laugh every time I listen to it. Not only that, but this is only about 50% thrash, with the 2nd half of the album dropping off into some melodic metal bullshit. Don't buy into Skeletonwitch; they've got a few good riffs here and there, but for the most part they're a weak attempt at thrash.

It's hard to compress my individual thoughts on this album in such a small space, but I'll try. But where to begin? I have a list so long as to what is so right about this album, that I feel like now the only appropriate way would be to say: Slayer is back. The malicous tone, the grinding guitars, insane drums, and with the lyrics to boot. Songs like 'Flesh Storm', 'Supremist', and 'Jihad' should be looked at as what they are: New classics in the era of Slayer. The lyrics as well, are still full of hate, as Tom's rabid mouth fires them out without heisitation. And Kerry and Jeff, while still shredding off mindless solos that have no feel whatsoever, actually have some quality ones on here like on 'Consfearacy' and 'Supremist'. And the taste of success is only made sweeter with the madman Dave Lombardo returning to his rightful spot on drums, as he pounds this album straight into the ground with unimaginable fills and beats. Slayer has retaken their throne, and 'Christ Illusion' was the key to it all.

The first album to feature the mighty Bruce Dickinson on vocals, The Number of the Beast is an epic Metal ride for all who claim to be fans of the genre. The riffs are imaginative, the bass is second to none, the solos are gold, and the vocals wail. The title track and 'Run to the Hills' are some of Maiden's finest work, and who can leave out one of the all-time greatest songs ever written, the amazing 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'.

After releasing four albums of nearly unmatchable quality, Motorhead did what many others could only dream of: They topped those four albums with one. That album is 'Iron Fist'. Combining the best elements from the past, 'Iron Fist' aims to hit you below the belt and keep on swingin'. It's fast, it's rude, it's Motorhead. It was also here that Lemmy and Eddie teamed up to create a melodic atmosphere on tracks like 'Go to Hell' and 'America', something which had been very rare for them. But just cause it was more melodic doesn't mean it wasn't brash. The title track, 'Speedfreak', and 'I'm the Doctor' are all gritty Hard Rock/Metal classics that will keep your horns in the hair and your head banging. Eddie's solos own this album and will catch your attention almost as fast as Lemmy's thickly distorted bass and throaty vocals. And backed by madman Phil on drums, it all spells success. This is, in my honest opinion, Motorhead's finest work and shouldn't be missed.

If ever there was album that would crumble your speakers into dust, "Inventor of Evil" is that album. Schmier, Sifiringer, and Reign combine nearly flawlessly to deliever one of the most headbangable Thrash albums ever invented. This is mostly due to the incredibly thick tone, especially from Reign's drum set. But Schmier's screeching vocals and Sifiringer crunch-heavy riffs are some of the best in the genre, to say the least. Listening to tracks like "No Man's Land" and "Killing Machine" are enough to go into a full-on frenzy. If you're a fan of thrash, do not miss this.

Going off the overall impression that I recieved of this album from this site, I figured I should just give this a shot for good times sake. I honestly wish I hadn't now. My Chemical Romance certainly isn't a band that can be accessible to everyone, including myself, and that's even more-so on The Black Parade. Sure, there's some catchy hooks here or there, but for the most part, the final picture is rather dull and lacks colour. The songs themselves seem to be of the same structure, and I really wouldn't call ripping-off some of Queen's sound 'progressing'; I'd just call it somewhat smart. Because on their own, My Chemical Romance really accomplishes nothing that interests me on this album, but when they mix it with other sounds like on the title track, it does catch me. But songs like "Dead!" and especially "Cancer" just kill anything this album had going for it.